The collaboration of two brilliant creators brings us the visually expressive, The Friendship Book. It explores the human need of friendship - regardless of age, and its many components.
Zannie Louise's rhythmic, rhyming text is minimal and precise, allowing the illustrations to share the focus and create a perfect pairing.
Movement, activity and joy are present in every scene of Nicky Johnston's delightful translation.
Delicate, fine-lined images, showcase children enjoying the natural surroundings, welcoming the emergence of friendliness that play initiates.
Johnston's illustrations in watercolour and pencil, appear to float across the pages.
The opportunities for creating friendships are addressed along with the feelings which engender self-confidence in new relationships with others.
They include trust, empathy, respect, helpfulness, forgiveness and sharing.
These emotions are reflected in the open acceptance of each child's face and body expressions.
Togetherness – whatever the activity may be, gifts a sense of joy. Age is no barrier, as old and young fit well together.
Friendship can be spontaneous and warm. Sometimes it comes slowly, as it is something that needs time and patience to be recognized; to surface and grow.
And it can be found in the most unusual places: at the park, in the shops, around a table with yummy snacks, flying kites or exercising, making mud pies or a pie of leaves.
All the visuals that accompany these examples, contain an aura of freedom and ease.
Friendship even comes unexpectedly, and can evolve from the strangest beginnings.
Other friends come thick and fast, some for now, and some to last.
This stunning book awakens children's awareness as to what friendship means and how to cultivate it, with all its possibilities displayed in an atmosphere of encouraging warmth.
The text and illustrations have the look and sound of friendship.
I loved this beautiful book which has a smile on every page.
I believe The Friendship Book is the perfect tool for use in initiating conversations between parents and child, and in preschool classes, around an issue which preoccupies many younger children, and equally as many teenagers and adults.
Title: The Friendship Book
Author: Zanni Louise
Illustrator: Nicky Johnston
Publisher: Walker, $ 24.99
Publication Date: 1 November 2025
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760658106
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book